Registered vs Unregistered Provider

Once you've decided that you want to either work self employed or start up a company/ provider, there is a lot of questions. Most people begin by researching via the internet which can feel like diving into a black hole! 

There are many terms within the NDIS industry to learn about, understand and work out how they will fit into your new business. This includes the difference between being a registered or unregistered provider. 

Unregistered Provider 

This is where a person grabs an abn or acn and starts up their business. They may be a support worker, nurse, cleaner, gardener etc. 

The main things to know is they can work with self managed funded participants and plan managed funded participants. This is how their NDIS funding to managed. But they are not allowed to work with NDIA participants (Agency managed). 

They are not able to use the NDIS logo in marketing but still need to meet some compliance expectations of the NDIS. 

Registered Providers 

This is still a business but the business has undergone an audit by an external party to make sure they meet the NDIS 4 or 8 modules which looks at policies & procedures, documents and compliance. This can be an expensive pathway as you may need to pay a compliance company for documents and/or an external auditor. 

These providers can provide services to all participants regardless of funding. They can use the NDIS logo in marketing and can also be added to lists of providers by NDIS to participants. 

When first researching many people believe they have to become registered straight away but you can start with being unregistered and work your way to becoming registered if you would like.